Connecticut western news., 1887-12-28

good plan. Madam Boutelle could prob ably have monopolized him. Youknow sho is crazy after the men, and especially Count de Beaupre. Bes;des," concluded Angeline, very forciby, "it's too late to ask anybody else!'
 "I suppose it is," said Mrs. Duncan, ruefully.
 And it was decided that they would have madem oiselle, who was commanded to accept the invitation on the pain of losing her situation.
 Angeline was enraged because the stubborn little governess would not bor- row dress of them.
 "she will look like guy, mamma. She can't have anything fit to wear"
 "Well, my dear, it is all your fault" Mrs. Duncan declared. "You would have her!'
 But mademoiselle did not look like fright. When Count de Beaupre en- tered the reception-room, his beauty loving eyes singled out at once a slender, curving figure, in antique bro- cade which had grown yellow with age, but was so uumistakably distinguished looking that all the ladies were wild with envy. Mrs. Duncan introduced him.
 'Mademoiselle, said the courtly young lion, bending his fine head to look at the fair, sweet face beside him, 'I am charmed to meet SO lovely a countrywoman in foreign land! Is it possible that we have met before2 Your face reminds me of one have seen some- where"
 q think not" Valerie answered, flushing with pleasure at the sound of a voice that spoke her native tongue so perfectly. q have been in America for twelve years.
 'I am sorry," murmured the count. "One can always claim some favor on the score of an old acquaintance"
 Just then Mrs. Duncan's imported butler came in, with practised bow and announced:
 "Dinncr IS served"
 Count de Beaupre glanced at his card and saw that he was to take Mademoi- selle La Fonte out to dinner. His pleasure was unmistakablc.
 They were soon chatting volubly in French. Angeline Duncan sat next to them. She put in a word now and then a word they were saying. But the counts puzzled "Comment'" HowD and "Je vous demande pardonp q beg pardon soon silcnced her.
 As for Valerie, she was growing ani- mated. Her face flushed prettily un- der the counts admiring gaze, and she was quite oblivious to the javelin glances hurled at her by Mrs. Duncan. The count had hardly looked at Ange- line.
 "Who was that pretty girl took out to dinner2" he asked, later in the even- ing.
 'tMademoiselle La Fonte," said Mrs. Duncan, coldly. ''Is it possible you admire her, count2 She is not much of anybody. We just had her to make up the party"
 Mrs. Duncan was angry, or she would not have said such thing. As for the count, he saw that he had made a mistake; but Mademoiselle La Fonte was wholly unconscious.
 Shortly after, coffee was served, the guests departed, and Valerie came up to the hostess, when the party had dis pcrsed, to ask whether she might not go home.
 "Yes, and stay therer' retorted An geline, angrily. 'How dared you pre- sumo to flirt with guest of my moth er'sa You forget, mademoiselle, that you are not here as social equal. We did not expect you to play any of your adventures games upon Count de Beaupre." ...
 ''Miss Duncan," cried Valerie, grow ing deadly pale, 'tyou have not yet ac- quired the right to insult mel"
 "Angcline," said Mrs. Duncan, in a low tone, ''don't be too nasty. Remem- Der that it is hard to get good gov erncss on mad emolsclle's terms" ''I don't care," cried Angeline burst ing into tears. "She kept Count de Beaupre away from me all the evening""
 ':Miss Duncan," said the little gov- erness, with much dignity, q assure you that had no such an intention"
 "That will do, mademoiselle said Mrs. Duncan, coldly. "You can go now"
 So the poor girl hurried out of the room, and met tho Count de Beaupre, waiting, hat in hand, in the hall She saw by his face that he had heard all.
 'I thought youhad gone'' she stam- mered.
 'I waited for you," he answered, in French. 'I thought you had no escort. May I have the honor of seeing you home, mademoisellc2"
 'I have no carriage" faltered poo, Valerie.
 s.Mine IS at the door. Allow mer'
 So the little governess found herself rolling home in state.
 'I ought not to let you do this," she said, hurriedly. 'I am not one of Mrs. Duucan's guests, monsieur; I am only her governess."
 "The name of La Fontc is very deal to mo D said the couot oentlv M,